Overseas Job Fraud: 7 Warning Signs & How to Verify Agents (2026)

Overseas job fraud is rising, and many Keralites lose lakhs of rupees to fake agents who promise jobs in the Gulf, Europe, Canada or Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has warned job seekers that only recruiting agents registered under the Emigration Act, 1983 can legally recruit Indians for jobs abroad. Before you pay anyone, check the agent on the government’s eMigrate portal and look out for the warning signs listed below.

This guide explains seven warning signs of overseas job fraud, how to verify a recruiting agent on eMigrate, the legal fee limit and where to complain.

7 Warning Signs of Overseas Job Fraud

1. No MEA licence: The agent cannot show a recruiting agent licence number. A licence is mandatory for any recruitment for work abroad.
2. Only WhatsApp or social media contact: The agent talks only through WhatsApp, Facebook or SMS and has no proper office address.
3. Tourist or visit visa for a job: A visit visa does not allow you to work. Working on one can lead to arrest, fines and deportation.
4. No written contract: A genuine offer comes with an employment contract signed by the foreign employer, the agent and you, stating salary, duty hours and benefits.
5. Huge fees: Agents demanding ₹2–5 lakh are a red flag. The legal maximum is far lower (see below).
6. Pay first, interview later: Fake agents collect money before any real interview or offer letter.
7. Too-good-to-be-true salary: Very high pay for simple work, guaranteed visas or “no interview needed” claims.

If you notice even one of these signs, treat the offer as possible overseas job fraud and verify it before paying.

How to Verify a Recruiting Agent on eMigrate

1. Visit the official portal emigrate.gov.in.
2. Open the List of active RA (recruiting agents) link.
3. Search by the agent’s name or licence number.
4. Check that the licence is active and the address matches the office you visited.

Registered agents must display their licence number at their office and in advertisements, including newspaper and social media ads. The MEA also publishes the list on its Overseas Employment page.

Legal Fee Limit for Recruiting Agents

Recruiting without a licence is an offence under the Emigration Act, 1983. The MEA advisory describes such recruitment as human trafficking.

Charging more than this limit is a clear sign of overseas job fraud.

Safe Ways to Find Jobs Abroad from Kerala

These safe routes are the simplest way to avoid overseas job fraud.

• Apply through Kerala government agencies such as ODEPC and NORKA Roots, which run recruitment for nurses, doctors, technicians and other workers.
• Use only MEA-registered agents listed on eMigrate.
• Insist on a work visa and a signed contract before you travel.
• Read our work visa information section before applying.

Where to Complain About Overseas Job Fraud

Report overseas job fraud quickly so the agent can be stopped before cheating others.

You can also file a complaint at your nearest police station. Keep copies of every payment receipt, chat and message as evidence.

What a Genuine Employment Contract Should Show

The best protection against overseas job fraud is a proper contract. Before you pay any agent or book a ticket, check that the contract clearly states:

• Name and address of the foreign employer
• Your job title and place of work
• Monthly salary, currency and payment date
• Working hours, weekly off and overtime rules
• Accommodation, food, transport and medical insurance
• Contract period and return ticket conditions
• Signatures of the employer, the recruiting agent and you

Never sign a blank paper or a contract in a language you do not understand. Ask for an English or Malayalam copy.

Common Overseas Job Fraud Tricks

• Fake offer letters that copy the logo of a real company or hospital. Verify the company directly through its official website or the Indian embassy.
• “Visa processing fee” requests sent to personal bank accounts or UPI IDs.
• Online interviews on WhatsApp video with no written test or company email.
• Job offers in conflict zones or in fields such as online “customer support” that turn out to be cyber-scam centres. The MEA has warned about such cases in several countries.

What to Do If You Have Been Cheated

1. Stop all further payments immediately.
2. Collect evidence: receipts, bank transfers, chats, call records and the agent’s details.
3. File a complaint with your local police station and the cyber cell if money was taken online (you can also call the national cyber crime helpline 1930).
4. Report the agent to the Protector of Emigrants and the MEA helpline listed above.
5. If you are already abroad and in trouble, contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate, or register a grievance on MADAD.

Sharing your experience with friends and family also helps stop overseas job fraud from spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an overseas job offer is genuine?

Check the agent’s licence on emigrate.gov.in, ask for a signed employment contract and a work visa, and never pay more than the legal limit.

What is the maximum fee an agent can charge?

₹30,000 plus 18% GST, and the agent must give a receipt.

Can I go abroad on a visit visa and then find a job?

Working on a visit visa is illegal in most countries. It can lead to detention and deportation.

Where do I report overseas job fraud?

Call 1800 11 3090 (toll-free), email helpline@mea.gov.in, or file a grievance on madad.gov.in.

Stay updated: Recruitment Fraud Alerts | Gulf Jobs.

Disclaimer: Kerala Job News is not a recruiting agency and does not collect money for jobs. This article is based on the Ministry of External Affairs advisory on fake overseas jobs and illegal recruitment, for public awareness. Fee limits and helpline numbers may change; please confirm on mea.gov.in and emigrate.gov.in.